Refrigerator wherein ice is obtained quickly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment wherein the foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, an ice making unit disposed inside the freezing compartment, an ice compartment disposed on the ice making unit, an ice pallet that is disposed on the ice compartment and that provides the making of ice by freezing the water filled therein, an air channel that is disposed on the ice making unit and that provides the delivery of the air into the freezing compartment, a fan that is disposed on the ice making unit and that blows air into the air channel, and at least one opening that is arranged on the ice making unit and that provides the delivery of the air blown from the air channel over the ice pallet.

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising an ice making unit that is used in making ice.

In refrigerators, generally ice cube trays are used to make ice. The ice making process is performed by placing the ice cube trays that are filled with water by the user into the freezing or fresh food compartment. Obtaining ice cubes in a short time is significantly important for the user since the ice cubes are consumed frequently for cold beverages especially in the summer months. However, the time water becomes ice by freezing takes a longer time than cooling. Therefore, water placed into the freezing or fresh food compartment does not change into ice immediately. A fan is used in freezing compartments for dispersing the cold air. The cold air cannot be used efficiently by the ice cube trays since it is dispersed inside the freezing compartment. It is a known method to use an extra fan over the ice cube trays for the water to freeze in a short time period and become ice. Thus, the cold air is delivered directly to the ice cube tray without dispersing in the freezing compartment and ice can be obtained in a short period of time. However, this situation increases energy losses and results in extra costs. In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP1821051, a refrigerator is disclosed that comprises an ice making unit wherein an extra fan and extra evaporator are used for making ice quickly.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator wherein the ice is obtained quickly.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a freezing compartment wherein foodstuffs to be frozen are placed and an ice making unit inside the freezing compartment that provides the making of ice in a short period of time. The ice making unit comprises an air channel and an ice compartment.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises the air channel that enables the cold air to be directed in the freezing compartment by means of the valves situated thereon. If the valves on the air channel are in the open position, the cold air is dispersed inside the freezing compartment and if the valves are in the closed position, the cold air is directly delivered to the ice compartment.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the valves is provided by the user by means of a drive rod disposed inside the freezing compartment and extending outwards from the valves.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the valves is provided automatically by a thermocouple that can change size depending on the temperature inside the ice compartment.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the valves is provided by an electronic thermocouple that is supplied energy from outside.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user enables the valves to be actuated by means of a control button disposed on the control unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan is disposed inside the air channel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan is disposed inside the air channel so as to be opposite to the valves.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening arranged on the air channel is opposite to the ice making portion of the ice pallet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the walls surrounding the ice pallet, the ice cube tray and the ice cube tray form the ice compartment.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

FIG. 1—is the schematic view of a refrigerator.

FIG. 2—is the cross-sectional view of the freezing compartment when the valves are open.

FIG. 3—is the cross-sectional view of the freezing compartment when the valves are closed.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

-   1. Refrigerator -   2. Freezing compartment -   3. Ice making unit -   4. Ice compartment -   5. Ice pallet -   6. Air channel -   7. Fan -   8. Opening -   9. Valve -   10. Movement mechanism -   11. Drive rod -   12. Thermocouple -   13. Control button -   14. Control unit -   15. Ice cube tray -   16. Wall

The refrigerator (1) comprises a freezing compartment (2) wherein the foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, an ice making unit (3) disposed inside the freezing compartment (2), an ice compartment (4) disposed on the ice making unit (3), an ice pallet (5) that is disposed on the ice compartment (4) and that provides the making of ice by freezing the water filled therein, an air channel (6) that is disposed on the ice making unit (3) and that provides the delivery of the air into the freezing compartment (2), a fan (7) that is disposed on the ice making unit (3) and that blows air into the air channel (6), and at least one opening (8) that is arranged on the ice making unit (3) and that provides the delivery of the air blown from the air channel (6) over the ice pallet (5). The air blown by means of the fan (7) is delivered into the air channel (6). Delivery of the air that moves inside the air channel (6) onto the ice pallet (5) provides fast production of ice.

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a movement mechanism (10) comprising at least one valve (9) that is disposed on the air channel (6) and that has an open position (O) wherein the air blown by the fan (7) is enabled to be delivered to the opening (8) by means of the air channel (6) and a closed position (C) wherein the air blown by the fan (7) is enabled to be dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) without reaching the opening (8).

The cold air is enabled to be directed inside the freezing compartment (2) by means of the valves (9) disposed on the air channel (6).

While the valves (9) are in the closed position (C), the air blown by means of the fan (7) moves forward directly inside the air channel (6) and is directed onto the ice pallet (5). Accordingly, ice is made in a short period of time without requiring the use of additional fan or evaporator for increasing the amount of cold air. Thus, energy saving is provided and efficiency increases.

When the valves (9) are in the open position (O), the air blown by means of the fan (7) is dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) by passing through the valves (9).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) that is disposed on the ice making unit (3) and that has a drive rod (11), one end of which extends outside for the user to move the valves (9) and the other end disposed on the valves (9). When the end of the drive rod (11) extending outwards is pulled by the user to be actuated, the drive rod (11) pulls the valve (9) from one end and thus the valves (9) are enabled to change to the open position (O). When the user pushes the drive rod (11) from its end extending outwards towards the ice making unit (3), the drive rod (11) moves inwards and enables the valves (9) to change to the closed position (C).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) having a thermocouple (12) that enables the valves (9) to automatically open and close by actuating the drive rod (11) depending on the temperature inside the ice compartment (4). The said thermocouple (12), due to its configuration, shortens when the temperature drops and gets longer by expanding when the temperature rises. When the temperature rises inside the ice compartment (4), the thermocouple (12) gets longer and pushes the drive rod (11) towards the ice making unit (3). Thus, the valves (9) change to the closed position (C), the air blown by means of the fan (7) directly passes through the openings (8) located on the air channel (6) and is blown towards the ice pallet (5). When the temperature inside the ice compartment (4) drops, the thermocouple (12) gets shorter and pulls the drive rod (11) outwards. In this situation, the cold air is enabled to disperse inside the freezing compartment (2) by the valves (9) changing to the open position (O).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the movement mechanism (10) having an electronic thermocouple (12) that operates with energy supplied from outside. The electronic thermocouple (12) can only realize the expansion and contraction process with electronic power by detecting the temperature.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a control unit (14) having a control button (13) that enables the user to control the energy delivered to the thermocouple (12) and that prevents the valves (9) from opening/closing automatically when the energy delivered to the thermocouple (12) is cut off. The energy delivered to the thermocouple (12) is cut off when the user actuates the control button (13). Accordingly, the thermocouple (12) is deactivated and the movement of the valves (9) is performed by the user mechanically. When the user actuates the control button (13) again, energy is delivered to the thermocouple (12) once more and opening/closing of the valves (9) becomes automatic depending on the change in temperature.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the fan (7) that is disposed inside the air channel (6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan (7) is located inside the air channel (6) opposite to the valves (9). The fan (7) and the valves (9) being situated oppositely provides direct delivery of cold air. Thus, when the valves (9) are in the open position (O), the air is directly dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) and when in the closed position (C), the air impacts the valves (9) and continues to move inside the air channel (6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises the opening (8) that faces the part of the ice pallet (5) where ice is formed. When the valves (9) are in the closed position (C), the air that moves inside the air channel (6), passes through the openings (8) and is directly guided onto the ice pallet (5). Thus, faster cooling is provided and efficiency increases.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises an ice compartment (4) having an ice cube tray (15) that is disposed under the ice pallet (5) wherein ice cubes fall, the ice pallet (5) and walls (16) that surround the ice pallet (5) and the ice cube tray (15).

Cold air is delivered to the ice pallet (5) without dispersing and without change in temperature by means of the walls (16) that surround the ice compartment (4)

By means of the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the air dispersed inside the freezing compartment (2) is enabled to be utilized more effectively. By means of directing the air, ice is obtained in a short period of time. Thus, energy saving is provided by increasing efficiency. 

1. A refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment wherein the foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, an ice making unit disposed inside the freezing compartment, an ice compartment disposed on the ice making unit, an ice pallet that is disposed on the ice compartment and that provides the making of ice by freezing the water filled therein, an air channel that is disposed on the ice making unit and that provides the delivery of the air into the freezing compartment, a fan that is disposed on the ice making unit and that blows air into the air channel, and at least one opening that is arranged on the ice making unit and that provides the delivery of the air blown from the air channel over the ice pallet, characterized by a movement mechanism comprising at least one valve that is disposed on the air channel and that has an open position wherein the air blown by the fan is enabled to be delivered to the opening by means of the air channel and a closed position wherein the air blown by the fan is enabled to be dispersed inside the freezing compartment without reaching the opening.
 2. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the movement mechanism that is disposed on the ice making unit and that has a drive rod, one end of which extends outside for the user to move the valves and the other end disposed on the valves.
 3. A refrigerator as in claim 2, characterized by the movement mechanism having a thermocouple that enables the valves to automatically open and close by actuating the drive rod depending on the temperature inside the ice compartment.
 4. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the movement mechanism having an electronic thermocouple that operates with the energy supplied from outside.
 5. A refrigerator as in claim 4, characterized by a control unit having a control button that enables the user to control the energy delivered to the thermocouple and that prevents the valves from opening/closing automatically when the energy delivered to the thermocouple is cut off.
 6. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the fan that is disposed inside the air channel.
 7. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the fan that is disposed inside the air channel, opposite the valves.
 8. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by the opening disposed on the air channel, opposite to the part of the ice pallet where ice is formed.
 9. A refrigerator as in claim 1, characterized by an ice compartment having an ice cube tray disposed under the ice pallet and wherein the ice cubes fall, the ice pallet and walls that surround the ice pallet and the ice cube tray. 